Dance like a girl: B-Girl Terra

I don't post about cute cats.  But dance videos?  Yes.  I  get goosebumps when I see videos like these.  The best ones always are of children with boundless energy of children.  I couldn't help notice her little shoelaces came undone before the camera cut to her putting on her elbow guards and hat :)

 Today at Secret Sunrise, I jumped around with a 6 year old, and she didn't stop dancings.  She wasn't not tired.   No heavy breathing, fatigue, or feeling like it's time to stop.  Me on the other hand was wondering hwo long I could keep up with her.  I had to stop. She kept on going.

  I noticed the same from B Girl Terra.  No deep breathing, just a pure clear vessel of movement, focus, agility and skill.  She doesn't stop.

 Can't wait to see what more she shares with the world.
Jungle - Platoon from Jungle on Vimeo.

Care-free With Cancer. The power of the creative spirit

 If only for one second,  you will see how documenting emotion and bridging creative thinking can make us all smile - if only for one second.

  Props to the this wonderful concept and strength to the individuals and families living with loved ones with cancer.

 MIMI Foundation "If only for One Second" project

We are made for Goodness - Archibishop Desmond Tutu

  We can all celebrate Archbishop Desmond Tutu's words of wisdom, stated in Adrian Steirn's 21 Icons short film, "In fact, we are made for goodness, which is fantastic!"

Photo by Inge Prins.  Concept: Play Jump Eat, Kelly Wainwright

A Performance Art: Picasso Baby - Jay-Z, Hip Hop, Art.

"It's there for the world to see. You're giving a glimpse into who you are."  Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter

Wild Talk Africa - Social Documentary Photographer

I had the pleasure of documenting Durban's Wild Talk Africa 2013 Conference and Film Festival.  This event focuses on the growth of business in the wildlife film industry, hosting international commissioners from broadcasters around the world and showcasing amazing talent and pitches from filmmakers across the African continent.  It also included networking parties, exhibitions, screenings and premiers, along with a film awards ceremony.

  Throughout the three day conference, I was able to weave between open pitching sessions, seminars and workshops that were hosted by inspiring and talented folks.  Durban's sun-filled winter weather added to the vibrant nature of the conference that was organised by the team at Natural History Unit Africa.

 Take a sneak peek at the different faces and scenes that happened in and around Durban's bustling port hotel, Docklands.

 For more photos check out Wild Talk Africa's Facebook page.

Top right: Donfrey Meyer- Wild Talk Festival Director, bottom right & top left: Sky Lab Productions, bottom left: Homebrew Films, Claudio Velasquez Rojas 

Open Pitching Sessions.  Candid shots of BBC's Natural World-Chris Cole's animated feedback

Peter Hamilton of DocumentaryTelevision.com gave such great workshops and seminars. Here's him passing his business card.  I was amazed on how many candid business card exchanges I captured during the conference.

Open Pitching sessions with Commissioners.  Top right: NHU Africa's Vyv Simpson. Middle row: Discovery Channel's Helen Hawken, Bottom left: Off The Fence, Allison Bean. Bottom right: NHK Masahiro Hayakawa, 

Top left: Exhibitors at Wild Talk are having fun.  Top right: TOPTV Content Editorial Mangaer, David Makubyane. Bottom left: Happy Wild Talk Camerman: Nyembezi Ncaba.  Bottom right: Laurent Flahault, TAIA Visions France Television

Pitching Sessions with Top Left: Fox International, Thandi Davids. Right: Thomas Matzek, NHU ORF. Bottom left: Chris Fletcher, Earth Touch

Top left: Dairen Simpson from Triosphere Productions's Trapped, enjoying Durban's sunshine.  Right: Chris Mason, NHU Africa posing in To Skin a Cat's faux leopard fur.  Bottom Left: Julie Frederiksen of Vuleka Productions chatting it up at Docklands Hotel.

Delegates listening during workshops and seminars.  Left:  Nothando Shozi, Head of Factual Genre, SABC

Top left:Thomas Matzek enjoys Durban Wild Talk 2013. Top right: Julian Rademeyer, author of Killing for Profit, chairs a seminar on War Stories: Rhino Poaching.  Bottom Middle: Director of Saving Rhino Phila, Richard Slater-Jones, shares insights during the Wild Talk seminar on Rhino Poaching.

NHK Japan's Masahiro Hayakawa is all smiles after the speed pitching session.

Delegates head out for the Wild Talk networking parties on Durban's beachfront

  For more photo albums check out Wild Talk's Facebook page.

  For documentary photography, contact Athena Lamberis, Athenailya@gmail.com

Create-Make-Music: The Landfill Harmonic Orchestra

  The Landfill Harmonic is a short film about a community of musicians creating instruments and music out of disposed objects.  This documentation highlights industrious creativity, marginalised communities, and the global language of music.

  Our is world over-consuming, our human population is constantly growing, inequalities continue yet art fosters our hearts to overcome obstacles and create change and influence alternatives.

Creativity with Food & Videos. Education for Change.

This is creativity  . . . in the kitchen.  What happens when a Music selector makes mashed visual alchemy with a visual artist?

This brilliance.  Enjoy this week's Rhymes and Rhythm Wrap up with two great videos:

Artist Driven | What's Cookin? from LRG on Vimeo.

And now with a strong message on exposing the ills of our modern food systems.  Showcasing the need to take responsibility for our food security, to choose wisely in the world of greed in the seed industry.  What happens when we only are given access to food products that don't nourish us on a cellular level but rather stuff a slow 'death down our throat'?  Dr. Vandana Shiva said it best, "It's more dangerous than bombs."  Let's eat foods that grew naturally from nutrient-rich soil.  Let's support permaculture, bio-dynamic farming practices, small-scale local organic farms--but most of all, turn your community into an edible landscape.  Peace to grass lawns, yes to green beans and wheat grass.

"In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act." -George Orwell

    There's a film to be made.  What's the movie all about?

SANTO 7.13.15 is a story that shows our future in 2045 when over population has reached critical levels and food supply can't keep up with demand.

  Read more about it here, and see if film entertainment can actually change people's choices and work to change policy . ..  for our future.

 Back it here:  KICKSTARTER: SANTO 7. 13. 15

World Environment Day is Every Day!

Acknowledge and Respect our planet by choosing to eat foods produced by nature.

Learn how to make delicious nourishing food that sustains our soil, our Earth and in return develops a stronger and smarter planet. 

For more inspiration, watch films like Hungry For Change, Food Inc, Food Matters, and the GMO debate: The World according to Monsanto

Let's be a part of the change that teaches children about proper healthy simple nutrition that is not funded by processed white flour food product companies, corn fructose flavours and milk chocolate sugar fake energy bars.

The better we eat, the better we learn, the easier to protect and develop our planet into a healthy home for every living organism.

Happy World Environment Day!

We all have a story to tell . . .

Yes, indeed.  We all have a story to tell. King Adz video takes us through what goes on in our creative minds, in our critical selves that get crippled by distractions, self-created disbelief, insecurity, self-loathing.  Watch this clip and see how you feel.

STORIES from King ADZ/100proof on Vimeo.

 
  To tell my story, to know my story---It's the way I weave all the colours in my tapestry of life- orange, red, turquoise, brown, purple, blue, white and gold- that is me.  And my patterns and tension will vary but the design is beautiful.  So with that I know I keep weaving to know where it leads me next . . . 

Detroit, Sugarman, and South Africa

A story strong to South's Africa heart beat, plays a different tune for Detroit's singer-songwriter Rodriguez.

picture jacked from Google.com

  Living in South Africa and hearing the impact of his music upon adults from that generation is fact to how powerful the powerful influence of music is to our collective history.  Music's language connects personal experiences across the world.

The locational link of this particular music story-South Africa and Detroit caught the interest of my dad, who grew up in Detroit.

 He recently forwarded me this article after watching the Documentary made about Rodriguez and South African listeners: Searching for Sugarman.

 Rodriguez' lyrics and music stretched beyond the artist's imagination into a moment of history that has been shared with the world.

  Click here to read the article:

   Long before Oscar-nominated doc, Detroit writer went on his own search for Sugar Man | Movies | Detroit Free Press | freep.com

What All Parents Should Do . . .

Tina Fey: I want to thank my parent's for somehow raising me to have the confidence disproportionate with my looks and abilities.  Well done, that is what all parent's should do.

Down time on a film set finds you in peculiar places. photo courtesy of Zubin Mistry

While working in studio as the on-set costumer on a commercial shoot with director Mehdi Norowzian and DOP Zubin Mistry, I found myself cuddled in the coolest place during breaks--in between the air conditioning system.

  Needless to say, the eye on set captured it on his phone.

                                       photo courtesy of Zubin Mistry

"Grandma's clothes look incredible" MACKLEMORE & RYAN LEWIS - THRIFT SHOP FEAT. WANZ (OFFICIAL VIDEO) - YouTube

My friend Mary sent me this link because I'm one of the many girls who has fly dookie brown leather jackets and 99 cent priceless Tshirt from thrift shops around the world.   Love this flavour!  Now when I go to clothes swaps, I end up holding onto the fine cotton threads I've had since 5th grade, and getting rid of the new shit... may just have to do a compilation remix of my thrift journeys from Honduras to Cape Town with Macklemore.  And I am definitely going to use this as inspiration for the next music video I work on :)

  MACKLEMORE & RYAN LEWIS - THRIFT SHOP FEAT. WANZ (OFFICIAL VIDEO) - YouTube

Rollaball Skate Soccer Movie: Support This-Ability

  Serious skills when it comes to extreme sports! A sport in Ghana that was invented to suit their abilities.  What a cool story to share with the world: Big World Cinema presents a film by Eddie Edwards.

   I support anyone who spread the true sense of the word: This-Ability instead of Dis-Ability.

 A must-to-support for a must-see movie!

 Good luck!

Meet Lorenzo, our adopted puppy.

You're making me wear this?

   We got married. We adopted a puppy. 

Adventures with Lorenzo

 Our friend Ross said, "Countdown 9 months and you'll be pregnant before the 9th month.  That's what happens when you get a puppy."  I have to say I'm love drunk for this fur-lined heartbeat creature.  But I am not convinced I'll love a unfurry human baby more.  Unless they come out hairy with a furry back.  Chances of that happening are high with Greek blood running 75%.  I'd hashtag myself #I don't-have-a-maternal-gene except for cute adorable puppies. We named him Lorenzo and we think he is the best dog anyone could ask for!

   So I made this video clip for his fan-club overseas and across the country.   This was a mission we did in our first week as puppy parents.

   He has grown to walk easily on a lead and cruises through the city with me so easily.  I took Lorenzo on an epic city walk into Cape Town Centre.  We visited the Castle of Good Hope, went shopping in the Grand Parade, and he managed to sniff out every KFC Chicken Licken chicken bone that gets thrown on the street after 1pm lunch.  Needless to say, his 1 hour cruise means he's cuddled up right next to me on the couch as I write this.  Another hashtag moment #nothing but love for the pupson.

The moat around the Castle of Good Hope

Puppy parent supplies

His winter jersey by the Vredehoek Ravine

August 23rd, why do I think he looks so mature?

Just the daily chill.

This is Lorenzo's pretty mom.  And maybe his dad behind her!? She is a Staffordshire  Terrier and dad is believed to be a pavement special: German shepherd, Africanis, mix!

First day at our home, Aug 7th.

Took this for size reference. I'm a size 8UK/9.5US.  He looks like a furry chicken deer.

This was our first sighting of him on African Tail's Facebook page.  He is 10wks here.   

  If you can adopt a dog, foster a dog, sponsor the welfare of a rescue dog or simply donate to

African Tales

Click through and make a difference.  

Afterwards, tell me your happy furever story.

   

     

South African dance documentary films: "I dance as if I have gun to my head" Pop, Lock 'n Roll

There are incredible stories to be told.  And dancers who use their body to express and encapsulate emotion is a language, a story in itself.  I filmed African Cypher Dance Session on my phone at Fly on the Wall Production House in Cape Town, December 16th, 2011: Dance crews that perform and compete at contests like the Red Bull Beat Battle in South Africa and around the world.  Check the trailer link below.

  I have always been captivated by music and dance.  I couldn't resist the urge to film on my phone in the dark warehouse above Roeland St in Cape Town.  The pantsula artists had woven a whole sequence of comedy, sex, violence and gender roles with innovative movements that put the whole cypher into a hypnosis.
Now, another fresh young filmaker, Ziggy Hofmeyr, is raising funds to share a story with the world about dance, love and quest.  Pop, Lock 'n Roll -- Indiegogo: http://igg.me/p/191398

  If we support filmmakers, creactivists, dancers: Culture . . . then we will be preserving a tapestry of identity.   Go on to IndieGogo and support the projects that speak to you. Or better yet, tell us when your next project is!

Watch the film African Cypher, and support South African films like Pop, Lock 'n Roll to be made.

Nonstop Dance Moves

Watch this video and by minute 2 you feel like you are watching him underwater, defying gravity and moving your screen.  Skills and Respect!

Video Love collage on our Beach Wedding Day: June 30th 2012

Our wonderful friend, Claire Homewood created this beautiful video montage of our wedding festival and ceremony on June 30th, 2012.  It is still so touching to relive those moments of supreme happiness and celebration with our family and friends.

 Umtamvuna River Lodge, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa

Quite a White Ou - Ndingumlungu - Full Version - YouTube

Quite a White Ou - Ndingumlungu - Full Version - YouTube: 'via Blog this'  The Music Video Link.

 HayiBo!

I had a lot of fun helping style some uMlungu outfits with Quite a White Ou.  So cool to see how everything came together. Thanks to Ubuntu Bridge, I got also go to up my Xhosa speaking skills to a Level 2.  It was a lot of useful learning.

In this video, eMzantsi definitely shows her true style around the Cape Peninsula.

 “Learn the Lyrics” video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogoLeUj2Y2U)

Or the lyrics can be found below:

INTRO:  Mamelani eh eh mamelani eh eh  x 2  – Listen y’all!

 CHORUS:

Ndisafunda isiXhosa                                    (Im still learning Xhosa)

Ndithetha kancinci.                                      (I speak a little only)

So Khawuzekelele                                       (So Please talk slowly)

xa uthetha nami                                           (when you speak with me)  X 2

VERSE 1:

Ndithetha kancinci kuba ndingumlungu*
I talk a little xhosa because I’m a white ou.

Ngikhuluma kancane kuba ndingumlungu
I talk a little zulu because I’m a white ou.

Andikwazi ukujiva kuba ndingumlungu
I don’t know how to dance because I’m a white ou.

Andikwazi ukucula kuba ndingumlungu
I don’t know how to sing because I’m a white ou.

REPEAT CHORUS:

VERSE 2:

Andithathi iteksi x2 kuba ndingumlungu
I don’t take taxis because I’m a white ou.

Ndiqhuba Mercedes x2 kuba ndingumlungu
I drive a Mercedes because I’m a white ou.

Andikwazi ukushela kuba ndingumlungu
I don’t pick up girls because I’m a white ou.

Ndithanda ukukempa kuba ndingumlungu
I love to camp because I’m a white ou.

Ndinxiba ishortsi kuba ndingumlungu
I wear shorts because I’m a white ou.

REPEAT CHORUS:

VERSE 3:

[Andiqondi (I don’t understand), andikuva (I don’t get you) x3, eh, andiqondi]  x 2.

VERSE 4:

Cool and Nice                                    Hot and Spice

Like vanilla ice                                    like pap n rice

You know I’m down,                        Come get down

Umlungu waseCape town                with ingamla yaseCape Town

(White guy from Cape Town)        (with the Whitey from Cape Town)

Hayi bo!!                                                Hayi bo!!                                                X 2: